WARNING
Mention of murder
Mention of character death
—---------------------
CRACK !!!
The sound of something exploding woke him up from his light sleep and definitely more people from their sleep the moment it happened . He swears to the Gods that this group is going to make him greet Nemiza way too early for his liking .
The scene before him isn't helping exactly ease his nerves .A shattered rock had almost hit his head , the campfire destroyed with the rest of said rock , pieces of yesterday's dinner meat thrown around , one half blind man armed with a knife and a whole bundle of highly dangerous weirdos doing Rad knows what . And even Casimir was knocked out cold and not responding , he can only pray to Zjiva he is still alive and mostly okay .
However he doesn't need the Gods help him deal with the one responsible for the explosion , he will make his life a living agony for daring to put the children and everyone else in danger all on his own ! And he will get his turn , even if the bastard dies he isn't getting out scot free . But first , staying as far as he can from the feral redhaired . He knows danger when he sees one and doesn't want one bit of it . Thank you very much . At least the two other redheads are less … blood trusty for a lack of a better word . Because who in their mind sleeps with a weapon on hand ? She apparently . The fact he is among weirdos is undeniable , yet she is somehow the strangest one of them all and she doesn't seem to even be a koldun . How in the names of the Gods does that make sense ?
He gets brought back from his head by Adela screaming at the rest of them to shut up and leave her to sleep . Then the screaming match that will probably end in a massacre counties he couldn't really catch much more on , the lack of sleep must be getting to him if his head felt so foggy . Deciding to solve at least one problem he goes to Casimir and checks for a pulse , as it will inform what to do . Putting his finger to the neck artery he inhaled breath in gratitude to Zjiva , for preserving his life and health . His pulse was steady and with no inflammation anywhere and no other unusual symptoms it doesn't seem to be anything serious yet ...
In and out , in and out were the only words on his mind at the moment . Rod knows what might have been used to knock him out . If he even moved the body wrong it could lead to serious consequences . In and out , in and out . Suddenly in a slap two hands were on his face , it took him a second to realise they were his . In and out , in and out . The stinging on his cheeks was enough combined with his breathing to center himself and stay calm for at least a while . He kept on reading the pulse and counting the breaths and noticed a pattern . The pattern of … sleep ? One way to find out then . A quick trip to the wagon and a few leaves of mint and one mortar and pestle later he was back . Quickly grinding them up and putting them before Casimir's nose was all that was needed to wake him up .
- Wat s gong n ? - The strong chilly spring gale almost knocked him over , he barely kept himself in place by the tips of his toes and assessed his patient anew . The still rather sleepy Ved doesn't seem to be in pain but better make sure that be sorry .
- Answer me quickly by using your head if you can . Do you feel pain anywhere ? - He nodded . Ok , good start .
- Can you feel and move all of your pinkies ? Both on the hands and feets . - He took a moment to answer , judging by the slight movement of his hands he was shaking, then he shook his head in a yes . Good .
- Probably no damage then . - The questioning look in his eyes speaking for itself on how nonsensical it might be to be awoken in the middle of the night by a chort looking doctor .
- Why were you sleeping ? Do you remember anything happening before it happened ? - He received a shake . The pose he made looked similar to someone going to sleep using their hands as a pillow .
- You were sleepy ? - His ability to read "normal" body language was bad enough without trying to understand what someone mute is saying . Yet he must have guessed right by the shake he received .
- Did Alyosha say anything before you fell asleep ? - Another shake . He knew it !
- Ominous sounding ? Maybe even foreboding ? - He received a nod this time .
- Huh ? Oh ! Did he wish you a good sleep and a good awakening ? - He received yet another shake . The earnestness in those eyes was a little strange on a man so toweringly big but people probably saw him similarly too . He felt a small gentle smile bloom for a moment on his face .
- Good then . - Having said this Blagoslav turned on his toes and started going to the still bloodless argument . He stood a few steps away from them , mainly to avoid being in the striking distance of one specific redhead . The deep inhale made his body sting a little , holding so much air all of the sudden , but all it did was ground him further in . Blagoslav let all of the suppressed earlier emotion out .
- CALM DOWN ! - Blagoslav screamed at the top of his lungs was heard around the whole camp if not the whole forest , whoever or whatever was asleep before is for sure awake now . - Or I will do it for you ! - The chill down right cruel truth in his voice surprised even him , but it seems to have worked , at least for now . - Okay , did everyone calm down ? - This time his voice was a lot more gentle , almost like m- No ! Now is not the time to think about that . In and ut , in and out and repeat .
The multiple voices answering in the positive and positive-neutral could be heard , even the still groggy children answered . He might have been harsher than expected after all , but if the "adults" are going to act like children then they will be treated as such . And judging from their remorseful expression on at least some level they did understand or question if what they did was wrong .
Why did you even started to argue about ? - Getting the story straight from both if not more sides only makes it more likely to be understood .
- This piece of - And of course it just had to be this meat head , did she forget were in a forest ?
- No swearing ! - The answer came as fast as a winter gale on a late autumn night .
- Chicken . piece of chicken . - Good , she isn't only mussel after all .
- Continue .
- As I was saying . This piece of chicken disregarded my brother's advice to leave the flat stone alone . Because it will be cursed if we let it to fire . And what did he do ? Put it over the fire to cook meat on . - Good argument , but not enough to behead someone before children . Which she would do if her brother stops holding her sword and hands away from the human man .
- The same stone Vasilisa used to butcher the rabbits ? That's unhygienic . - Who knows what curses have been put there by the rabbits and whoever else might have used it .
- Yes ! And not only is it unhygienic it's also very directly dangerous . Because vodyanoy and rusalkas love to make them explode . The fact we only lost part of our dinner with no one harmed is a miracle in and of itself , especially with all of us sleeping . - She is right of course . Had it not been for Dolya smiling on him there would be a corpse instead a doctor before them .
- Okay Alyosha your turn . - He better thank Casimir later for even allowing him a chance to defend himself . The disgruntled samodiva was scary without being angry at him , thankfully her brother stopped her from slicing him to pieces or creating blossoming bruises on his body by taking her away from him .
- I have done this before and it hasn't happened before . How was I supposed to know ? - Came the disgruntled answer of the only human man in their group . He was an idiot wasn't he ? Either that or he became dumber with age . He had read people in around 60 start to have problems with memory .
- Borris , do all rocks do that ? - Being the apparent expert in the field his help was required , even with his rather impressive display of holding his monster of a sister back from severing their heads .
- Only if they were close to or in the wat - His words stopped at the end as his sister threw herself to the earth in an attempt to get him off her back , having caught her just in time her attempt did not succeed , yet .
- So it's like mushrooms .
- How is it like mushrooms ? - The look of total confusion on literally everyone's face a hint enough to say he said something weird . Jokes on them he isn't backing down .
- I once heard my mother say "There are two types of mushroom pickers . Bold ones and old ones . Because there is no such thing as an old bold mushroom picker". It seems to explain this situation rather well , wouldn't you agree ? - The pull of his lips to a rather chort-like smile might or might nor have started to make them question his morality anew .
- Yes ? - The hesitance is to be expected really . His mother is a great and wise sage few could comprehend .
- Good . First let me thank you two for not starting a bloodbath . - Despite not saying any names with the siblings before him and him looking at them as talking , the one being given the thanks being given to was simple to see , Borris especially . May the Gods bless this man . - And Alyosha . No more cooking attempts on rocks without Borris's supervision . - The bewildered look he was given was probably unintentional but oh so sweet to bask in . - Now that no one is in bodily harm , you can all go back to sleep . Hop-Trop now !
Having comandered the group back in bed , both he and Dragana stayed up , it was almost their time for nightwatch anyway .
The last outburst of emotions must have taken a bigger toll than he thought . As the light cracking of burning wood and song of the crickets was like a gentle lullaby trying to take him into Morana's embrace for the first time in days . The familiar smell of greenery as if playing homage to his home was soothing . He felt sleep creeping in closer and closer , until it finally caught him .
The light of dawn poking his eyes and the smell of what was left of yesterday's dinner after tonight's cooking attempt was what awoke him the second time . Focusing his eyes he saw Vasilisa adding ingredients to the stew to renew it , more specifically a lot of the wind potatoes he picked yesterday . Dragan must have woken her up , letting his gaze roam . He saw her carving something in her hands at the moment , from the looks of it probably wood . The small movement from waking up seemed to allerted them , their eyes on him in no time having stopped moving . His gaze met theirs , and for his efforts he got rewarded with a smile and a quiet "good morning" . He stepped closer to Vasilisa , she had offered him knowledge yesterday and he hopes it will be the same today . The Gods know he needs more knowledge on , well everything . So he will take as much as he can , even if the teacher absolutely terrifies him to his core . Still he ignores the small voice in him telling him he is before something far far stronger than himself , and hops down to her as she starts to gently whisper to him how to use the scraps from yesterday to make today's meal without wasting much . She even taught him how to handle some of the vegetation when cooking , like not to put the mushrooms in until the soup is more made or they won't absorb it as well . It is rather fascinating to see how she uses herbs different from what was prescribed in the medical and botanic books .
The smell of the food must have been springly alluring as people awoke one by one , until all of them were up . And Dragana seems to have finally done what she was carving , in hands was … a comb ? That makes sense actually . She calls for one Ivana and starts to brush out the knots he couldn't get out yesterday with his hands , good . Slowly but surely Dragana goes through all the children while the breakfast was steaming on the fire . After she was done , she took the hair from the brushing and threw it in the fire with the breakfast done and away . This meal was silent like yesterday's dinner , and it would have stayed that way if not for news they were given in its end .
- Today will be the last day with sun for a while . It will be preferable if we find accommodations today as the rain will start at around sunset . - The calm unbothered tone of her voice was ice cold , like she didn't just say they would have to deal with Rod knows long of a storm . If there was any question of her being a knower after this she made herself clear . Maybe she would teach him her method of predicting the weather ?
Whatever or not she teaches him however the statement she spoke made everyone freeze right in their steps . The questioning looks were directed to her while she just kept on eating what little was left like nothing happened .
- How come you didn't notice ? Huh ? - The red haired barbarian trew what was probably to her a light punch in a playful manner , Blagoslav had no doubt if she punched him like that bruises will be blooming in no time for a whole month strong . The only reason he's not severely injured after her "interrogation" was because she punched the tree and not him , and then thanks to her brother stopping her .
- It smells different here … - So it was true pseglav can smell rain ? He wonders if they also put iron hoofs at adulthood ? Or if they really worship alcohol as holy ? Maybe the myths of them caring for tens of thousands of animals at once were true ? But surely not , with no god to help even ten animals are challenging . How would they even care for them in winter while it's snowing ? Surely its lies or overblown . If not … then what about others saying about them . Do they also take wolves as brides and grooms ? Or turn into werewolves on a full moon . Do they go digging corpses when hungry ? Surely no ! No mortal would eat another … right ?
- Then we better go as fast as we can . - The quiet order , and yes it was an order , was the calmest he had seen that man as of yet . Even earlier this night he had not been as calm . He doesn't even need to use a zagovor or a stove to prophecy that they will spend time with Likho if they follow the man , or if not them Nemeza .If there was ever any doubt in him being cursed this clears the answer of yes .
The look they all gave each other all the information they needed to know , the man is the strongest of them and if they are unfortunate , also the cruelest of them all . He swears there is something wrong with this group , and he can only pray to Slava and hope a dolya takes a liking to him again to get away out of this alive and hopefully healthy . Especially with the rain coming .
They took what was used when making the camp and the dishes after washing them . The mules again pulled them through the forest . Like before it was a beautiful and new sight , a whole world away from his and his mother's house at the edge of the village he sometimes peeked to look at . Everyone there looking so different from him .He wonders for a moment if more people like him exist . And if so , were they different ? Was there someone who had blue or red hair and eyes to his orange ? Were there other like him whose mother wasn't human ? A samodiva or ispolin or an karzelekzek or maybe … a psoglav one ? But how would that look like even ? How would they even tell what it is if their fur is already black ? Maybe they would look different ? Or would they be strong enough to move a whole pot of milk all by themself with no help from their mom ? He couldn't . But his mom said that's why she is so strong , to help move heavy stuff when he can't . He misses his mom . When will she come to save him ? He hasn't seen her for … weeks ? Time is hard to track , its normally mom that did it . He wasn't good at a lot of things , but his mom is . She is awesome ! Like a hero from a legend ! He knows she will come to save him , he just needs to wait patiently like a good boy !
Having asked enough question for future him to answer one day , Blagoslav let his gaze roam the wagon , landing on the children . Bored to untold amounts , he can sympathize . if there weren't any new books to read or herbs to experiment with the days were rather boring when alone . At least with his mom and her tales the days are interesting when she was with him . Oh he knows how to alleviate their boredom !
- Anyone have an interesting story to tell ? - Nugging the kids' curiosity and maybe the other adults would do them good .The field was so covered in mist that we couldn't even see the one next to us let alone the enemies soldier . So the archers were told to shoot- Nope ! No military !
- Can you choose a more friendly to kids story ?
- Children don't need to be reminded of the horrors of war anymore than they do .You told an interesting story , and this story is interesting . - Was he really that stupid or was he playing a trick to them like the other old man ?
- If you don't mind war maybe . - He didn't expect the answer to come from the obviously battle scarred warrior , if anything she look like someone who would like those types of stories . - But in case you're forgetting most slaves are made such by bandits , soliders of another country or from war . - The sharpness of her truth must have been a little too much for Alyosha to handle , especially after the cooking attempt .
- Who wants to know the tale of how potatoes were made ?! - Came the unexpected shout of Svetlen , was yesterday's actual personality or another mask ? He couldn't tell , but they needed something to tone down the possibilities of a fight .
- There is a tale about potatoes ? - came the excited question of Ivana , so bright and happy it might rival a fire bird .
- Well it's less for potatoes specifically and more so a tale about the creation of the Morana's flower . - Morana's flower ? He had read text on how strong its healing properties are so he couldn't be accused for wanting to learn its creation myth .
- What's a Morana flower ? - Slavica's interest seems to also have been peaked .
- The flower on the emblem on the flag of Pepel I Mraz . - Came the answer from the wheat headed woman who had been quiet for all he had known her for . And having seen the still questioning looks on the children's faces she clarified . - It's a flower known for its noble white color and the ability to stay in full bloom even at the harshest of winters . - The looks of astonishment on everyone's face was understandable as he too was blown away when he first read it .
- If you still want , i can tell you the tale of its creation ? - With his slightly mischievous tone no one can fault them for being on guard , but their curiosity still won . So they nodded their head from left to right and back , having seen them he let out a little laugh . - Long ago when the world was still young , Lady Morana had heard tales of the other season's jewels called flowers and longed to see them . Having heard this my people the karzelek made a plan . And so on the spring that followed that winter to please her flowers were sacrificed , the flower however we nor made to survive winter . Yet her followers continued to sacrifice them to her , for her to see as much as liked . Having heard of this , Lady Lada too decided to give her sister a present , so she got to work . On the first day she created potatoes trying to make a beautiful flower to survive winter , so she took it to Lady Morana , but unfortunately its flowers died as almost did the fruit . But Lady Morana still took it . On the second day turnips were created , and they too were presented before our Lady . But they too didn't survive winter with their flowers on as Lady Lada wanted , but our Lady still kept them . And then finally on the third day the yet unnamed noble white flower was created , having not shown what could be different about it just as Lady Lada was about to throw it away Lady Morrana had come to thank her sister for the previous gifts . So the two goddesses sat down and talked , they even ate together . Then as our Lady was about to go she caught sight of something as white as the snow she leaves behind her , so she asked her twin what it was . With lady Lada answering of it being another failed gift . Yet with curiosity our Lady took a step towards it , and what she saw wasn't a frozen to death flower but one in full bloom . Having seen this too , Lada finally presented the flower made for the winter , the Morzana's flower . - The awe was thick in the air and he knew it , that satisfied grin of his making it known . He was grateful the karzelek didn't have a mustache , otherwise he wouldn't have been able to make heads or tails on his expression .
- I didn't know Morana and Lady Lada got along well … - The small quiet voice might have been hard to spot usually , if not for the silence .Well the samodiva version of the tale might be different .
- Your race never really got along with our Lady after all . - He gave a thoughtful look at the youngest samodiva - Maybe you have a version of the tale ?
- We have , it's rather similar to yours . The difference is in the end , as instead of waiting and being a good guest Morana steals the flower . That is why it is called the bad guest flower by our race. Only after you told the tale did I realise they were one and the same . - Dragana's even tone was one speaking as a matter of factly . The offended look Svetlen trew at Dragana could be understood considering how he too would glare at someone if they insult Lady Ziva . Let alone with the notorious generational bad blood the samodiva and karzelek have because of religion . - Also I'm seeing a house , let's check it out before it starts raining . - Did she have a strange habit to change the theme of a conversation ? Or does she enjoy it and does so on purpose ? Or maybe she is just bad at talking to others ? Surely not . Right ?
Leaving aside the question of whether or not dragana knows how she leads a conversation , he lets his eye try to find the house . A few moments later he finally notices it , less so because of his sight and more so because of the wagon going closer to it . He was a little ashamed it took him so long , feeling his ears warm up he prayed no one else saw it .
His inability to pull a poker face aside , he took a look at the house . Or well a house and one more extra . The bigger house was made from stone , like a castle from a fairy tale or illustrated picture with not even a single flaw to detect . The one to the side was an obviously more common quality being made from wood but seemed to be holding well overall . Of course just because he might not find flaws doesn't necessarily mean it actually was , he wants a builder after all .
Having come rather close they got off the wagon to inspect the abandoned house . Deciding to inspect the stone house first the somehow still standing door was knocked on to alert any of the possible spirits and people inside of it , after this the door was moved . What met them was as if Morana herself had walked here and left winter , except rather than snow it was all dust . And it truly was a winter with everything covered , the stove was in a thick layer of dust , so was the the few pitiful furs on the conik left by the last guest or owner and the knew even the babiykut was covered in the dust . Earally however the red corner was in comparison spotless to the rest of the house , a house spirit was here . But what exactly ? A domovoi surely won't allow for their domain to fall so much and he sure hopes they don't have an angry kikimora on their hands .
- The house is livable . No leaks , no mould and no cracks . - While he had been worrying about chort Vasilisa had done an impromptu inspection , the rest of the group in a stroke of something not common sense took a step inside to her . His view of her and the rest of the group dropped even more than before . What if the children learn this recklessness ? It would be a disaster , especially if they aren't strong enough to kill what they angared . - Ideas on how to clean it fast ? Maybe a cleaning zagovar ? - While saying this Vasilisa was directing her gaze at Dragana , and Blagomir could fell the almost predator sharp gaze of one scarred redhead that ran a chill down his spine .
- Don't have one . I didn't need them when hunting so I never learned any . - Dragana was nodding her head up and down to emphasize her point . While she was met with an understanding gaze , the one he had turned from passive to aggressive . In a quick hope to be left away from that monster he started talking .
- I only know healing and brewing ones ! Really it's all I know ! - He could finally understand why the characters in the few novels he had read spill everything they knew when before the hero , it wasn't for justice and honor like the younger him had thought . Oh how young and naive he had been , it's because the hero are just as much of a monster as their enemy . And before him was one such monster and even more unfortunately he looked like a chort .
- Why not have the big big guy speak ? He made the air whoosh . So why not do it again ? - Ivana speaking might have saved his life . She liked meat , she is getting extra meat tonight if he can help it . It might actually work …
- I've also heard a wet rag also gets rid of dust rather well . Maybe we can use it ? - Seeming to be searching deep in her memories Vasilisa added .
- Then me and Marya will tidy up the barn . - The psoglav budding in the conversation was unexpected , but …
- There is a barn ? - His curiosity will get him killed one day he swears .The larger wood structure . it's better we clean and maybe fix it before it starts raining . - Blagoslav guessed that made sense , especially if they don't have a healer specializing in animals .
- And while we check the barn and you clean this place , this one and the kids are going to forage . - Just yesterday this woman threatened to kill him while thinking he had done something to the kids and now this . When is she going to start to make sense ? Is being contradictory a special characteristic of hers ? Why does she have to be so confusing ?
- Why does he get out of this ?! - Came the disgruntled shout of the ex military man .
- He is knowledgeable on medicine and edible plants in the region , he also has the physical capabilities of a child at best and at worst those of someone sick whose days are numbered . - The sharp and cold reply came quickly . And for the first time Blagoslav felt grateful to those sharp giving the impression of being just a hair away from committing murder eyes , because they were pointed at someone else for once . The ed-military definitely knew what those eyes on him think , if even Blagoslav's atrocious perception can pick on it what leaves for a battle fought warrior . The lack of noise to be heard definitely tells far and wide what he received , and wisely choosing to back down a noise will not be heard for quite a while .
- Let's start then ! We don't want it to rain on our heads after all ! - The strange karzelek had already started to read the whole group rather well if he always knew when to stop them and when to nudge them , or was it that way since the start ?
It does not matter at the moment . With their plan made and him and the kids thrown out to forage so as to not inhale dust , they finally started to clean the house .